The San Quinton Kangaroo Rat (Endangered Species)

Below is the poem entitled The San Quinton Kangaroo Rat (Endangered Species) which was written by poet
Michael
Jordan. Please feel free to comment on this poem. However, please remember, PoetrySoup is a place of encouragement and growth.

The San Quinton Kangaroo Rat (Endangered Species)

Arriba, Arriba as Speedy Gonzalez would say
The San Quinton Kangaroo Rat is dying away
Baja California is where they do reside
On a little strip of land just 100 meters wide
Due to agriculture and progress it’s sad to say
All but nine-miles of their habitat was taken away
Truly nocturnal they only come out at night
Strongly territorial they’re ready to fight
Once numbering in thousands now 30 are left
How long can humanity go on being deft?
They bathe in the dust so its sad but true
In captivity they last just one day or two
When they are threatened believe what I say
Two-meters at a time they go hopping away
They mainly eat seeds, fruits, insects and such
Amazing kidneys allow them to not drink very much
They rarely drink water because these words are true
Their kidney’s are four-times as efficient as the kidney in you
The odds they will rebound are far less then slim
San Quinton Kangaroo Rats fate is looking rather grim
Even if you don’t hold rats dear to your heart
In the overall cycle of life they play their part
Every species on earth fulfills some sort of need
The San Quinton Kangaroo Rat regulates the diversity of seeds
Plants, insects, ants, and birds need them to survive
Without the San Quinton Kangaroo Rat they cannot thrive
Arriba, Arriba as Speedy Gonzalez would say
The San Quinton Kangaroo Rat is dying away
Being one who spent years in San Quinton this
endangered species caught my eye. Reminded
me of the jail house mouse that would frequent
my cell. An odd sort of connection I'll admit but
rather interesting I reckon.

Smile! Yes, that old familiar flowing of verse, by, my old dear friend Michael Jordon!!! ~ "Hello You Gifted Poet & Beautiful Heart!!!" ~ I hope that life is treating "You & Your Loved Ones" wonderfully Brother and, this was a very enlightening write! One for the species and, one the revealing of the authors compassionate and beautiful heart!!! "Excellent" ~ "My Love to You All, Always," John! ~ Smile, "Bye Dear Michael!":)

Hadn't heard of this species before, Michael. So many have become endangered by loss of habitat. We recently "moved" an endangerd gopher tortoise to a new home because he was eyeing the backyard vegetable garden. Too bad people don't make more of an effort to see that species on the decline find new lands to roam. Excellent poem! Love, Carolyn

this poem of yours sure opened my eyes about the kangaroo rat--never knew these things before! Wish you the best in the contest! Thanks for sharing --& I just had to smile when I learned when YF4L meant--that is just heartwarming! Rest assured that I will be a friend for life as well--now let me head on over to Sharon Weimer's poems :) --nikko :)